Richard W. Pihlblad, 74, of Warren, Pa. died Friday, August 3, 2012 in Warren General Hospital following an extended illness. Born June 10, 1938 in James-town, NY to the late Robert W. and Irene B. Erickson Pihlblad, he was a Warren Area resident most of his life. A 1956 graduate of Warren Area High School, Dick was a member of the school's 55- 56'undefeated football team. He served in the National Guard as Mas-ter Sergeant for seven years. He was an engineering gra-duate of Alliance College Technical School and was a graduate and teacher of the Dale Carnegie courses. Dick was a parishioner at Holy Redeemer R.C. Church. He was employed for 45 years at Loranger's Manufacturing as an en-gineer manager and pro-duct manager, focusing on tool and die design and en-gineering; he also executed the lucrative IBM account at the firm. Dick had been a CCD teacher and Eucharis-tic Minister at Our Lady of Victory R.C. Church in Frewsburg, NY. He was a 3rd degree member of War-ren Knights of Columbus Council and a member of the Warren Barbershoppers/ Conewango Clippers. In his leisure, Dick travelled the globe with his wife, with a special affinity to Maine, the ocean, Middle East and Mediterranean Europe. He loved all sports, but none more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also was an outdoors enthusiast having spent time boating at Chau-tauqua Lake, golfing, hunt-ing and fishing. He was a gourmet cook who had a fantastic sense of humor. Dick had a special fondness for animals, especially his cat Sylvester. He had many friends who loved him.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis Allamenciak Pihlblad, whom he married May 7, 1959 in Erie, Pa.; two daughters Robin Su-san Anderson and husband, Duane, and Wendy Ann Pihlblad Wilkins and hus-band, Rodney, all of War-ren; three grandchildren Rodney William Wilkins and wife, Makala, Mariah Alyssa Allen and Arick Ed-ward Allen, all of Warren; two great grandchildren Shayla Jo Wilkins and Wyatt Wilkins, all of War-ren; and several friends.
Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. 304 East St, Warren, PA 16365 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Au-gust 7, 2012 where a Vigil Service will be observed at 7:45 p.m. with Monsignor John Lucas, Pastor of Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, of-ficiating. A Mass of Chris-tian Burial will be conduct-ed Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, 11 Russell St, Warren, Pa. 16365 with Msgr. Lucas of-ficiating. Private interment is in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery. Memorial contri-butions may be directed to St Judes Childrens Hospi-tal, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospitals for Chil-dren, 1645 West 8th St, Erie, Pa. 16505. Online condolences may be of-fered to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com.
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